Education and Certifications

• Ph.D., Special Education, Auburn University, 2011
  • Dissertation: The Self Perceived Level of Preparation of Pre-Service General Education Teachers to Instruct Students with Disabilities in an Inclusion Setting.

Biography

Toni Franklin, Ph.D is currently an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Teaching, Leadership, and Counseling Department at Columbus State University. Prior to coming to higher education, she taught for 14 years in the public schools as a special education teacher and a 4th grade general education teacher. Her research interest includes preparation of teachers in the use of culturally relevant pedagogy in inclusive settings and providing inclusive post-secondary educational opportunities for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. In addition to serving as co-director for The GOALS program at CSU, she also currently serves as the faculty advisor for the Student Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) and is the Vice-President of the Georgia Division of the Council for Exceptional Children (GaCEC).

Academic Areas

• Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in inclusive settings
• Inclusive post-secondary education of students with Intellectual and/or developmental disabilities